Sam The Wine Teacher

Sam, The Wine Teacher, has been an educator, a home winemaker, a wine judge for too many years to count and is the former Guild Master of the BC Guild of Wine Judges. He has offered wine education and appreciation courses for Pacific Breeze Winery, Capilano College, Eden West fine foods, the Richmond School District Continuing Education department, Coquitlam Continuing Education, the VAWA, the BCAWA as well as for various private functions. He also trains staff and offers cellar evaluations.

Iconic BC Red Wines 2018

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I attend many wine tasting events and there is always the hope that some wines will be impressive and most of the time there are a few that do stand out. This tasting, though, was something quite different.  Twenty BC red wines and all examples of the best that BC has to offer.  An event … Read more

Tasting Ten September: ‘Contrasting BC and Oregon Wines’

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September is Cam’s month for the Tasting Ten session, however this year too many people were going to be away so he rescheduled it for a month later, one week after our regular October session. Upon arriving, we were greeted with a lovely sparkling wine, A Blanc de Noirs from Backyard Vineyards in Langley.  Most … Read more

Vanessa Vineyards: Wow Wines a review by Sam the Wine Teacher

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For years, I have seen the name, ‘Vanessa Vineyards’ listed on some wines produced by Sandhill Winery.  Winemaker Howard Soon recognized the quality of the fruit coming from this site years ago and opted to make single vineyard wines from these grapes instead of blending them in with grapes from other areas.     Two … Read more

Tasting Ten – Pinot Noir a review by Sam the Wine Teacher

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I belong to a wine tasting group called the Tasting Ten.  Ten people meet ten times a year and taste through a blind flight (all bottles wrapped in paper to conceal their identities) of wines based on a theme.

Wednesday Wine Reviews @Sam_WineTeacher

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This post features some wineries I have tried for the first time. 2016 Chardonnay Fort Berens Lillooet, $18.98 Straw coloured with medium-light intensity.  Oak slightly dominates the nose (I like this style) followed by tropical fruit, citrus, butter and toast.   Good balance with good mouthfeel.  The flavours echo the nose.  Pleasing flavours linger on the … Read more

Wednesday Wine Reviews by @Sam_WineTeacher

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2014 Chardonnay Bordertown Osoyoos, BC $26.90 Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity.  Like many California chardonnays, this one leads with oak yet isn’t overly oily or drenched in tropical fruit.  The nose aromas of butter, toast, vanilla, ripe apple and orange peel.  Very good balance.  The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus finish.  This … Read more

Wednesday Wine Reviews by @Sam_WineTeacher

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    2016 Pinot Blanc (Lawson) Anthony Buchanan Oliver, BC $19.99 One of, if not the best, Pinot Blanc wines in BC.  Pale lemon yellow in colour with medium-light intensity.  The nose is layered with aromas of peach, apple, citrus, melon, white flowers and minerality.  Well balanced and full bodied.  White peach, apple and citrus … Read more